Muriel Rukeyser




A Simple Experiment

When a magnet is
struck by a hammer
the magnetism spills out of
the iron.

The molecules 
are jarred,
they are a mob going
in all directions

The magnet is 
shockéd back
it is no magnet but
simple iron.

There is no more
of its former
kind of accord
or force.

But if you take
another magnet
and stroke the iron
with this,

it can be
remagnetized
if you stroke it
and stroke it,

stroke it
stroke it.

the molecules
can be given
their tending grace

by a stronger magnet
stroking stroking
always in the same direction,
of course.